Pac-10 basketball ratings: It’s Washington, then everyone else

Have to admit, it’s tempting – very, very tempting – to declare Washington the regular season championship right here and now, one week into league play.

The Huskies were heavy favorites from the start. Opening with a road sweep of the L.A. schools – UW’s toughest trip – only increases their advantage.

But I’ll wait … maybe one more week, maybe two … before declaring the race over.

Let’s get to the first weekly ratings, with a reminder that they are not based exclusively on the first weekend of league play. I’ve taken the months of Nov. and Dec. into account.

Washington

Results: Won at USC 73-67 (OT) and UCLA 74-63

Next up: vs. Oregon and Oregon State

Comment: Matthew VBryan-Amaning had 39 and 18

Oregon State (7-6, 2-0)

Results: Beat ASU 80-58 and Arizona 76-75

Next up: at Washington State and Washington

Comment: if the bveavers can get Haynes and Cunningham going at the same time – they combined for 35 against Az – then they’ve got a chance to stay competitive. Some of those early-season losses remain baffling

Oregon (78-7, 0-2)

Results: Lost to Arizona 76-57 and ASU 60-55

Next up: at Washington and WSU

Comment: ASU at home was one of Oregon’s few opportunities for a league win. Now solid chanchance I thought ASU ’m thinking the Ducks’ best chance for a win is jan. 22 at Oregon State. If not then, they may have to wait for the Beavers to visit in mid-february.

UCLA (9-5, 1-1)

Results: Beat WSU 80-71, lost to UW 74-63

Next up: at USC

Comment: Doesn’t seem to matter who’s at point for the Bruins (unless it’s farmar, Westbrook or Collison – the Huskies are a tough matchup.

USC (9-6, 1-1)

Results: Lost to Washington 73-67 OT, beat WSU 60-56

Next up: at UCLA

Comment: Tough to distinguish between Trojans and Bruins at this point: Both beat WSU, both lost to UW. But by the end of the week, we’ll know where they stand in relation to each other

ASU (8-5, 1-1)

Results: Lost at OSU 80-58, won at Oregon 60-55

Next up: vs. Stanford and Cal

Comment: Do not expect see much offense in WF Arena this weekend – not that we ever see much offense in WFA. But I’d be a bit surprised if anyone scored 70

Arizona (12-3, 1-1)

Results: Won at Oregon 76-57, lost at OSU 76-75

Next up: vs. Cal and Stanford

Comment: can’t help but wonder if the cats, following abig win in Eugene, figured they’d roll the Beavers – and got caught with their urgency down.

Stanford (8-4, 1-0)

Result: Beat Cal 82-68

Next up: at ASU and Arizona

Comment:

Cal (7-6, 0-1)

Result: Lost at Stanford 82-68

Next up: at Arizona and ASU

Comment: I’m thinking the Bears would have liked their chances in Maples had they been told they’d shoot 51 percent from the field, outrebound Stanford and have a 1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Washington State (10-4, 0-2)

Results: Lost at UCLA 80-71 and at USC 60-56

Next up: vs. Oregon State and Oregon

Klay Thompson produced in Los Angeles, but not efficiently: he was 12 of 35 from the field. At least Cougars have their toughest trip out of the way.

Have to admit, it’s tempting – very, very tempting – to pronounce Washington the regular-season champion right here and now, one week into league play, and move onto other things.

The Huskies were heavy favorites from the start, a very good team in a very mediocre league.

To open with a road sweep of the L.A. schools – not only UW’s toughest trip but a weekend few, if any other teams will sweep — only increases their advantage relative to the Pac.

Hard to envision anyone staying step for step with the Huskies over the next two months.

But I’ll wait … maybe one more week, maybe two … before declaring the race over, just in case the Huskies stumble at home this weekend and drama re-enters the proceedings.

Onto the first weekly ratings, with two notes on the process:

* They are not based exclusively on the first weekend of league play. I’ve taken the months of Nov. and Dec. into account.

* The location of results (home/road) will be a factor in the ratings throughout the season.

In other words, Oregon State’s one point home win over Arizona is not reason enough to rate the Beavers over the Cats when you consider the sweep of the season.

1. Washington (10-3, 2-0)Results: Won at USC 73-67 (OT) and UCLA 74-63Next up: vs. Oregon and Oregon StateComment: Look no further than Matthew Bryan-Amaning’s 39 points and 18 rebounds as the reason for UW’s sweep. If he keeps that up, the Huskies could go 16-2 or 17-1.

2. Arizona (12-3, 1-1)Results: Won at Oregon 76-57, lost at OSU 76-75Next up: vs. Cal and StanfordComment: Can’t help but wonder if the Cats, following a big win in Eugene, figured they’d roll the Beavers – and got caught with their urgency down.

3. UCLA (9-5, 1-1)Results: Beat WSU 80-71, lost to UW 74-63Next up: at USCComment: Doesn’t seem to matter who’s at point for the Bruins (unless it’s Farmar, Westbrook or Collison). The Huskies are a tough matchup.

4. USC (9-6, 1-1)Results: Lost to Washington 73-67 (OT), beat WSU 60-56Next up: at UCLAComment: Difficult to distinguish between Trojans and Bruins at this point. (Both beat WSU, both lost to UW.) But by the end of the week, we’ll know where they stand in relation to each other.

5. Washington State (10-4, 0-2)Results: Lost at UCLA 80-71 and at USC 60-56Next up: vs. Oregon State and OregonComment: Klay Thompson produced in Los Angeles, but not efficiently (12 of 35 from the field). At least Cougars have their toughest trip out of the way.

6. Oregon State (7-6, 2-0)Results: Beat ASU 80-58 and Arizona 76-75Next up: at Washington State and WashingtonComment: If the Beavers get Haynes and Cunningham going at the same time – they combined for 35 against Arizona — then they’ve got a chance to stay competitive. Some of those early-season losses remain baffling, and inexcusable, and unforgettable.

7. Stanford (8-4, 1-0)Result: Beat Cal 82-68Next up: at ASU and ArizonaComment: Rousing home win over its rival on opening weekend may end up being the high point of the league season for the Cardinal, given the near-term schedule.

8. ASU (8-5, 1-1)Results: Lost at OSU 80-58, won at Oregon 60-55Next up: vs. Stanford and CalComment: Do not expect see much offense in Tempe this weekend – not that we ever see much offense in Tempe. But I’d be a bit surprised if anyone scored 70.

9. Cal (7-6, 0-1)Result: Lost at Stanford 82-68Next up: at Arizona and ASUComment: Bears probably would have liked their chances in Maples had they been told they’d shoot 51 percent from the field, outrebound Stanford and have a 1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

10. Oregon (78-7, 0-2)Results: Lost to Arizona 76-57 and ASU 60-55Next up: at Washington and WSUComment: ASU at home was one of Oregon’s few opportunities for a league win. Now, maybe we’re looking at Jan. 22 at Oregon State. If not then, they may have to wait for the Beavers to visit in mid-February.